The protection of the Iberian lynx is the latest of the excuses invoked by the Ministry of Transport to exclude the conversion of the N-432 into the A-81 motorway in the almost 200 kilometers which crosses the province of … Cordoba. For Óscar Puente, the conversion is very complex environmentally, with the presence of the lynx and would make it extremely difficult to obtain an Environmental Impact Statement (DIA).
This response has attracted all kinds of criticism. One of them comes from the Fund for the Defense of the Natural and Cultural Heritage of Extremadura (Fondenex) which has been described as “surreal” that the ministry justifies the non-construction of the section of highway between Zafra and Cordoba due to the presence of lynx.
According to him, “there is no incompatibility between the construction of the A-81 highway and the conservation of existing lynx in the region, since a traditional highway is much more dangerous than a motorway.” Additionally, they explain the reasons that support their arguments.
On the one hand, “the national road does not have fences on its sides to prevent wild animals from crossing it; It does not have wildlife steps and in most cases no speed limits in conflict zones or warnings about lynx attacks; “Its sharp curves and sharp changes in slope make it easier to run over different species of mammals, especially at night, due to the need to use low beam lights.”
On the other hand, “the highway has fences on its sides, and in lynx areas they can be made of special mesh so that cats do not cross them; they have underpasses or passages above the road, which lynx can use; there are speed limits and signs in lynx habitats; their the curves are much more open and changes in slope are almost non-existent, and it is also possible to drive for long distances with high beam.
In short, they argue that the Ministry of Transport cannot invoke the refusal of the Zafra highway due to the existence of lynxes, because it is “a petty argument, trying to blame an animal that cannot defend itself, and which expresses the incapacity of these politicians to undertake necessary work for citizens.” With corrective measures, the A-81 is perfectly compatible with the conservation of the Iberian lynx.
The association assures that “the Iberian lynx, one of the most endangered species in the world, has begun the path to recovery thanks to the efforts of international organizations, public administrations, scientific entities and conservation associations. In its conservation, investments have been made. more than 100 million euros“.
Therefore, “the statement of the Ministry of Transport that the construction of the highway between Zafra and Córdoba is not carried out due to the presence of lynx in the Guadiato River area, is stupidity of respectable proportions and reflects manifest incompetence, even a crude maneuver to try to justify the unjustifiable.
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